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The Guelph Destination is located in Ontario, Canada above the confluence of the Speed River and the Eramosa River. Some of the largest cities that can be found in the Guelph Destination are Hamilton, Mississauga, Kitchener, and Brampton. The namesake of the destination, Guelph, occupies land in Wellington County, covering a total metropolitan area of 229.16 square miles and a land area of approximately 33.68 square miles. A particularly notable site that is established within the city is the University of Guelph, which, according to MacLean Hunter Television—a historical-based broadcasting network created by Fredrick T. Metcalf—“grew out of three founding colleges.” These founding colleges include the Ontario Agricultural College, the Ontario Veterinary College, and the MacDonald Institute.[8] Aside from the destination’s namesake, Mississauga is considered by many visitors to be a tourist city given its outdoor recreation, shopping districts, and sports venues.[6] Based on the tourism score, it is recommended for visitors who come to pursue warm-weather activities to visit between late June and early September for a greater chance of higher temperatures. The hottest month of the year in Guelph is typically July with an average high of 78 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 58 degrees Fahrenheit.[4]
Situated in Southwestern Ontario, the Guelph Destination is bounded by Lake Huron to the north and west; Lake Ontario to the east; and Lake Erie to the south. Guelph, the namesake of the destination, is the seat of Wellington County; however, the city itself is politically independent. As of 2022, it was recorded that roughly 150,392 residents constitute the total population of Guelph, and the city is currently growing at a rate of 1.71%. With regard to the racial demographic of Guelph residents, white individuals account for approximately 84.3% with the remaining percentage comprising those of Asian, German, Irish, Scottish, Italian, and Latin-American descent.[1]
Prominent cities that can be found in the Guelph Destination include Mississauga, Brampton, Kitchener, Hamilton, St. Catharines, and the namesake, Guelph. Directly outside the southeastern perimeters of the destination is a popular touristic city called Niagara Falls, occupying land on the border between Canada and the United States. In partnership with Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) is a town that features many wineries and festivals. NOTL is part of the Ontario Wine Country as the town contains about 40 wineries and 25 vineyards. A fair amount of guided tours for these wineries, distilleries, and breweries are offered throughout the town.[5]
A city in the southeastern corner of the Guelph Destination called Mississauga is notable for its substantial number of art galleries, shopping districts, and sports venues. The main sports venue of the city is the Paramount Fine Foods Centre, previously known as the Hershey Centre. Mississauga served as the home arena for some of its minor league teams such as the Raptors 905 (NBA G League) and the Mississauga Steelheads (Ontario Hockey League). Furthermore, outdoor recreation is favored among several visitors to the city as nearly 481 parks and woodland areas can be found in Mississauga. Concerning the city’s shopping districts, one of the largest shopping malls in Canada, Square One Shopping Center, is established in Mississauga’s City Centre. Approximately 24 million visitors are drawn to this mall annually.[6] Canada’s busiest air terminal, Toronto International Airport, is additionally found in Mississauga. The city is considered a residential suburb of Toronto as well as a significant industrial center. Aircraft, motor vehicles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, rubber and steel products, and construction materials are a few manufacturers that aid the city’s economy.[7]
Cloud cover is fairly common throughout the year in Guelph. Temperatures generally range between 12 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of the year. The warm season lasts from May to September with an average daily high of 68 degrees Fahrenheit. July is typically the warmest month of the year as temperatures reach about 78 degrees Fahrenheit on average. Contrastingly, temperatures drop to around 37 degrees Fahrenheit during the cold season from December to March. The coldest month of the year is January with an average high of 27 degrees and a low of 14 degrees Fahrenheit. For those who plan on engaging in warm-weather activities, it is recommended that they come between late June and early September as temperatures are relatively moderate throughout these months.[4]
The majority of the destination’s northwestern portion is fairly forested with farmlands, vegetation, and rural areas, while the southeastern portion is much more urban in comparison. Guelph is positioned above the confluence of the Speed River, which enters from the north, and the Eramosa River, entering from the east. Both the Speed River and the Eramosa River have several tributaries. Numerous other smaller rivers and creeks in Guelph cause the formation of densely forested ravines.[8] Guelph resides in Wellington County which is home to an abundance of wildlife, namely eastern cottontail rabbits, ducks and geese, deer, grey squirrels, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, and a range of bird species. During the spring and summer seasons, sightings of ducks and geese are relatively common. It has also been reported that sparrows, doves, and warblers inhabit Wellington County.[9]
The name Guelph was given to the city by John Galt, a Scottish novelist who chose the name in honor of one of the British royal family names. The royal genesis of the name was additionally the root of Guelph’s nickname, “The Royal City.” Initially planning to utilize the town for the headquarters of a British development firm known as “Canada Company,” John Galt designed the town with the intent to attract settlers to the area and the encompassing countryside. Further plans for the town entailed several streets extending from a focal point at the Speed River as well as constructing the town to resemble that of a European city center. It wasn’t until 1856 that the Grand Trunk Railroad reached from Guelph to Toronto, and even still, the town did not develop any larger than “village size.”[2] Years later, the population of Guelph surpassed 10,000 in 1879 which allowed for the town to officially become a city. Around this same year, Mayor George Howard was the first to refer to Guelph as “The Royal City” during a speech he gave at the time of the new city’s inaugural.[3]
Guelph is home to a number of historic buildings, many of which are on the National Historic Sites of Canada register, including McCrae House, Old City Hall, and the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate. Another historic building that presently stands is the University of Guelph which was established in 1964. A plan for the redevelopment of Downtown Guelph was presented and discussed by the city council in 2007. These plans were finalized as the 2018 Baker District redevelopment project. The primary plans for this redevelopment process involve transitioning the Baker St. parking lot and properties located at the front of Wyndham street’s north end into a “mixed-use development.” Furthermore, with the addition of both residential and commercial buildings, it is anticipated that Downtown Guelph will contain a new library, commercial, institution, and office building.[8]
627 on King is established near the Niagara River in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The property has been under the ownership of Wanda and Kacper Kasprzycki since 2019, with accommodations available from April to the end of December. Breakfast is served ensuite (room service) or in the garden. Eggs benedict, brie & cranberry French toast and omelettes appear to be favourites among the many breakfast options that guests are free to choose from. 627 on King is located in the Historic Old Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, but that’s not the only attraction that brings guests from various parts of the world. Niagara-on-the-Lake is in the heart of Canada’s wine country. There is an endless number of wineries to explore, many of which are biking distance from 627 on King. There’s also a number of touring and transportation services. Boasting thirteen productions from April – December, the Shaw Festival Theatre is a theater company within walking distance from 627 on King. Niagara Falls, golfing, wine and fruit festivals are a few other draws for tourism.
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A Valley View Bed and Breakfast is situated on 55 acres of land and about 20 minutes from the notable cities of Stratford to the northeast and London to the south. The bed and breakfast itself is a one-bedroom guest house with a living and dining area and a full kitchen. Ingredients for guests to make their own breakfast are provided in the kitchen by the owner, Jacqui. These ingredients are enough to make “a full breakfast and light lunches,” according to the property’s website. Jacqui describes the guest house’s location as “a good middle base for people,” as a number of attractions are in fairly close proximity. In the town of St. Marys are a number of boutique shops that guests many enjoy, and the city of Stratford is home to four theatres, The Stratford Festival Theatre, Tom Patterson Theatre, Avon Theatre, and Student Theatre. Lake Huron is also a 40-minute drive from the property.
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